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Caryl Smith-Gilbert
American track and field coach From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Caryl Smith-Gilbert (born April 19, 1969) is the current Director of Men’s and Women’s track and field at the University of Georgia.[1] She was hired in 2021.[2] She coaches both the women's and men's Georgia track teams and is the first female head coach of a Georgia men's team.[3][4]
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Early life
As a 12-year old, Smith-Gilbert ran the 100 meter dash in 11.78 seconds. She was a silver medalist in the 100 meter dash at the World Junior Championships in 1986.[5]
During her high school career, Smith-Gilbert set indoor national records in the 55- and 60-meter dashes and was a two-time Colorado state champion in both the 200-meter dash and the long jump as well as a three-time 100-meter dash state champion. She also set the Colorado state high school records in all three of those events.[6]
At UCLA, Smith-Gilbert was a three-time All-American at UCLA (4×100-meter relay in 1988 and 1989), and won individual and relay Pac-10 championships in the 100-meter dash, 4×100-meter relay and the 4×400 meter relay. As a member of the 4x400 meter relay, her team finished as an NCAA Championship runner-up in 1988 and 1989.[6]
Smith Gilbert earned a bachelor’s degree in film and television production from UCLA in 1991 and a master’s degrees in sport management and sport psychology from the University of Tennessee.[6]
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Coaching Career
Smith-Gilbert coached the USC Women's Track & Field team to two NCAA Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championship titles in 2018 and 2021 and the UGA Women's Track & Field team to the 2025 NCAA Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championship title.[3][7][8][9]
Athletes coached by Smith-Gilbert include Anglerne Annelus,[10] Matthew Boling,[11] Afia Charles, Sole Frederick,[12] Sanaa Frederick,[12] Christopher Morales Williams,[13] as well as Olympic Gold Medalists Rai Benjamin, Aaliyah Butler, Michael Norman and DeeDee Trotter.[6][14]
Smith-Gilbert was named the SEC Women’s Coach of the Year in 2025[15] and became the first coach to win the women’s NCAA outdoor title at two different schools with the 2025 UGA championship.[16]
Smith-Gilbert is currently the President of the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Board of Directors with a term that ends on December 20th, 2025.[17]
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Personal Life
Smith-Gilbert is married to Greg Gilbert, a retired NFL linebacker, and the couple has three sons: Alex, Spencer and Osiris.[6]
See also
References
External links
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